Adventure

Dresden, the capital city of the German Federal State of Saxony, is situated on both banks of the River Elbe, very close to the Czech border. It is a charming town with a rich history of kings and noblemen. Although WWII bombing destroyed much of the historic city centre, parts of it have been restored to their original state.

Beautiful Buildings
There are many wonderful attractions that you need to see during a stay in Dresden. The beautifully designed buildings lining the Elbe, a vast number of them in stately Baroque style, are lit up at night, creating a stunning spectacle of light and reflection on the surface of the water. The Semperoper (the opera house named after Gottfried Semper), which was completely rebuilt and reopened in 1985, the Frauenkirche and the Zwinger Palace, to name but a few, are a must on your itinerary. There are also several interesting museums and a zoo.

Don’t Forget Insurance 
Of course, if you are hiring a card in Dresden, you need to consider getting car excess insurance to cover any expensive and unexpected costs. This will not only protect your interests, but also give you peace of mind so that you can enjoy the sights, sounds and impressions of your destination.

The Tobacco Mosque
The Yenidze is a restaurant with a super terrace from which you can enjoy a great view of the city. It is sometimes referred to as the “tobacco mosque” due to its oriental appearance, complete with minaret, and the fact that it was originally a tobacco factory. It was given a new look in the early 20th Century when the authorities decided that they no longer wanted any factories in the city centre that were recognisable as such.

River Boats on the Elbe
A holiday in Dresden would not be complete without a trip on one of the Elbe River Boats some of which are delightful old paddle steamers. Most boats offer refreshments, including coffee and cake, light meals, alcohol and cold drinks. The view of the city from the river is breathtaking and very romantic indeed.

A Bridge Over the Elbe
The Augustus Bridge over the Elbe was built in the early 1900s. With its stone arches, it is extremely attractive. Enjoy the view of the bridge as you picnic on the green north bank of the river. It’s absolutely free of charge and after a busy city tour, relaxing on the lush lawns is just the thing to do.

 

There’s an increasingly popular philosophy amongst travellers: Wherever you go, the tourist trail can feel much the same. All over the developed world, tourist experiences are repeated again and again and again, and in spite of whichever stark aesthetic and cultural differences may exist between two cities, you’ll usually find that the package holiday itineraries for both are remarkably similar. Some of us find this incredibly uninspiring.

Without further ado, here are a few off-the-beaten-track ideas for holiday activities that skip jauntily off the tourist trail and into the real life of a destination:

 

Check out the live music

 

If you want to catch a glimpse of a population’s soul, you could do far worse than experience how local musicians express themselves through song. If you’re travelling in South America, seek out the remote festivals where locals sing ancient songs; if you’re in a big European city, visit open mic nights to hear an array of local talent (probably both good and bad); and if you play yourself, get involved in a jam session. A little research online before your trip will help you find your way to the musical heartbeat of your chosen destination.

 

Experience the local nightlife

 

There’s something deeply tragic about tourists visiting night clubs and bars designed for tourists (we’re getting mental images of Irishmen brawling in the streets of Prague, Guinness in hand). If you fancy a night out wherever you’re staying, be sure to visit local establishments (preferably ones which are known to be ‘safe’). If you’re in Budapest, visit a ruin pub, or if you’re in the American mid-west, play some bingo with the locals – if you’ve never played the game before check out theonline comparisons listed at bingo.com to get a feel for the rules.

 

Eat the independent street food

 

It seems insane that many tourists continue to eat at familiar, branded restaurants when visiting overseas destinations – why even travel!? To get a flavour for the true cuisine of your destination, try the street food served at roadside stalls whenever you can. This can be hit-and-miss in some countries where hygiene issues persist, but throughout much of the world this is the best way to get a taste of the locality.

 

Meet people!

 

Meeting locals can be a daunting thought to some travellers, but there really can be no greater travel experience than befriending a local. Not only do you stand to make a friend, but you could also be shown the very best of the area by a true expert!

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